All my little friends had been "saved" and would take their first communion in a month. They were now preparing for this important moment in their lives! Everyone turned out for this turning point in their children's religious lives. I wouldn't be there!
In her desperation mother phoned our minister, Rev. Archibald Graham. They arranged for a private session for me. I was to report in his study on a Saturday morning. So mother's "sinner" was dressed up for the interview. I went reluctantly!
He didn't wear me down till he suggested that we kneel down together and ask for God's guidance. t was a very intimate conversation with the Lord. What I would decide was between God and little Ruth Fenn. I gave in!!
Now I was prepared by mother and father for my first communion. Father took over and I learned many passages from the Bible, learned my catechism - although I hadn't the faintest idea what they meant, but children can memorize anything when young. For my perfection in reciting them I received a leather bound copy of Longfellow's poems. Two still remain in my memory. Here they are:
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. The chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.
Q. How many persons are in the God Head?
A. There are three persons in the God Head; Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. The three being one, equal in substance, power and glory.
Finally I had to appear before the elders of the church to repeat from the passages I glibly recited. I passed with flying colours. I had a marvelous memory! Mother and father were very proud of me.
Looking back I'd say there was much to recommend in this memorizing of beautiful passages from the Bible in our youth. They stay with you forever and become your ethical guide to a good and moral life.
Today I have left behind now, all traditional religions! I have rejected all dogmas and credos of every religion. So has your father. Yet when we made this decision years ago we missed going to church on Sunday. Then we joined the the Unitarian Church because we were so impressed with the inspiring sermons of the Rev. Angus Cameron that reflected our values for most of our lives. Every Sunday the church was packed. Moreover I noted that McGill students often took notes during his sermons and later Dr Wilder Pennfield and his wife became members and this impressed me very much.
If Mr Cameron had remained I thought we were Unitarians forever, but then he resigned! After he had retired he thought he had quit the ministry. He went to the Maritimes to live a very simple life by the sea to be by himself and to get a fresh perspective. Later he returned to the ministry and now I understand is preaching in the largest Unitarian Church in Philadelphia.
He was followed in Montreal by Leonard Mason an uninspiring classical scholar and we missed Cameron's inspiring sermons. We quit the church ( and all churches)
I guess you would call us Agnostics. It satisfies us completely living quietly in the country and marveling at the miracles in nature we see every day in our lives. Too great to explain - will call it the presence of God.
In her desperation mother phoned our minister, Rev. Archibald Graham. They arranged for a private session for me. I was to report in his study on a Saturday morning. So mother's "sinner" was dressed up for the interview. I went reluctantly!
He didn't wear me down till he suggested that we kneel down together and ask for God's guidance. t was a very intimate conversation with the Lord. What I would decide was between God and little Ruth Fenn. I gave in!!
Now I was prepared by mother and father for my first communion. Father took over and I learned many passages from the Bible, learned my catechism - although I hadn't the faintest idea what they meant, but children can memorize anything when young. For my perfection in reciting them I received a leather bound copy of Longfellow's poems. Two still remain in my memory. Here they are:
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. The chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.
Q. How many persons are in the God Head?
A. There are three persons in the God Head; Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. The three being one, equal in substance, power and glory.
Finally I had to appear before the elders of the church to repeat from the passages I glibly recited. I passed with flying colours. I had a marvelous memory! Mother and father were very proud of me.
Looking back I'd say there was much to recommend in this memorizing of beautiful passages from the Bible in our youth. They stay with you forever and become your ethical guide to a good and moral life.
Today I have left behind now, all traditional religions! I have rejected all dogmas and credos of every religion. So has your father. Yet when we made this decision years ago we missed going to church on Sunday. Then we joined the the Unitarian Church because we were so impressed with the inspiring sermons of the Rev. Angus Cameron that reflected our values for most of our lives. Every Sunday the church was packed. Moreover I noted that McGill students often took notes during his sermons and later Dr Wilder Pennfield and his wife became members and this impressed me very much.
If Mr Cameron had remained I thought we were Unitarians forever, but then he resigned! After he had retired he thought he had quit the ministry. He went to the Maritimes to live a very simple life by the sea to be by himself and to get a fresh perspective. Later he returned to the ministry and now I understand is preaching in the largest Unitarian Church in Philadelphia.
He was followed in Montreal by Leonard Mason an uninspiring classical scholar and we missed Cameron's inspiring sermons. We quit the church ( and all churches)
I guess you would call us Agnostics. It satisfies us completely living quietly in the country and marveling at the miracles in nature we see every day in our lives. Too great to explain - will call it the presence of God.
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